A favorite, Verstappen’s doubts … and approved Sainz and Alonso?

With the closure of the Miami Grand Prix under a domain overwhelming McLaren (37.7 seconds to George Russell3rd of the podium), Formula 1 finished its first quarter of a very long season. Which already has important moments, such as those offered by the superiors papaya. Also hopes for the future of the change of technical directives from the career of Montmelon. And hold a season still closed, but with lines to follow that could be established after the landing in Europeheart of the queen category and fundamental point to understand what will be 2025.

The thing is quite matched from Miami. Oscar Piastri, following his four victories, has shot himself in command (131 points), but they are not too far Lando Norris (115), Max Verstappen (99) o George Russell (93). Yes it can be said that Ferrari is sunk, with 53 Leclerc points and 41 of Hamilton And it is not surprising the wave of criticism coming from his native Italy. “Another shameful career“, he said on the cover ‘Car sprint‘.

Are Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso approve?

In homeland, there are disparate sensations for the Spaniards. Carlos Sainz occupies the 13th position of the World Cup with 7 pointsbut the real level is much higher. His strength in Arabia and Miami is an example of the clear jump and the ability to grow by Williams. In the case of Fernando Alonso, the ‘feeling‘It is contrary. The Asturian yields and is well, but with such a car you can stand out and only exceed the three roakies (Liam Lawson, Jack Doohan y Gabriel Bortoleto) They have not added either.

Thus, the first quarter Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz’s course has everything. He went through hard times, with that balance of the Sainz point in China of the first races. Also for other sweets, among the work that gives results from Madrid with the FW47 and Alonso’s ‘magic’ to strain the worst grid car in the SQ3 of the Miami sprint. A peculiar mixturewhich gives illusion on the one hand and, on the other, lights a siren.

The alarms go, of coursetowards Fernando Alonso and Aston Martin. The AMR25 closed Miami as the worst car. The Asturian requested, without stridency, changes from Imine and in the British bosom they are not hurried. “When Europe arrives they all put improvements, but we [Aston Martin] We have no fixed date, “said Pedro de la Rosa, Ambassador of the British brand. They will arrive, yes. But they all have them and 2025 are perceived as a test course and establish dynamics for the decisive 2026. “Now we are more prepared to win than we were in 2023”, Alonso confessed some races.

Now we are more prepared to win than we were in 2023Fernando Alonso

The case of Sainz is different and made it clear that it belongs to an ambitious project. But maybe in 2025 it is not seen yet. “It is a car that would have a lot of potential if we could evolve it. I am convinced that this team could do great things,” he confessed after the Q3 of Miami.

The moment of Piastri and McLaren

At the top of the table, a reality of the beginning of 2025 is that of Oscar Piastri. He left details in his first two courses, but in the six races of the new season he appears as a reality. For the number of victories, for the ability to disturb and bring to his partner Lando Norrisand for the challenge he accepted and took before Max Verstappen. Norris falls with the Dutch every time the faces are seen (Japan and the departure of Miami),Piastri is not afraid or that showed at the beginning of Jeddah and the great hand in hand in Miami.

SaucersIn addition, he has been in charge of repeating that his McLaren is the best car. It has not failed beyond the error under the flood of Melbourne and allows the team to Woking adds three wire victories. They did not do it since the end of 1997 and the beginning of 1998 -It was, in the end, champion- with Mikka Hakkinen.

The situation of papaya is ideal, although the reviews of Barcelona will arrive. “We will change the ailerons, it will be a ‘reset’”, They say, for example, in Ferrari. Many trust at that time, But McLaren’s difference could be too much and apart from situations that border the regulation, perhaps its concept is the best. Of course, they prefer not to say it too high. “In three of our victories we didn’t have the best car,” said Zak Brownhis great boss.

In three of our victories we did not have the best carZak Brown

Hurricane Verstappen

If McLaren fault, no one doubts to point to Max Verstappen as the clear alternative. He does not have, from afar, the best car and has won in Suzuka in addition to signing three poles (Japan, Arabia and Miami). With the minimum space, the Dutch appears and remains the pilot who can intimidate McLaren. Of course, his name appears too much at the beginning of the course. And not for good.

The main unknowns have to do with the future. About its Red Bull output clause and the relationship between their representatives and strong men of the energy drink team. Verstappen is the great name that can condition everything if there is any type of movement from its side. And you can also change the present season with a Red Bull that hurries to the limit to obtain improvements.

Fears have decreased. Max is loyal and publicly pledged to the teamHelmut Marko

“Fears have decreased. Max is loyal and publicly pledged to the team. That fits our current vision. Our goal is to defend the titlebut we cannot take for granted that we will achieve it, “he said to ‘Bild‘ Helmut MarkoRed Bull advisor. They have to work hard, with the Dutch losing ease with a piastri that has beat him several times in the melee.